the money people

the money
who is looking for the money
the money that makes people rich
the rich peoples' money beyond reproach
how much is it, this money you ask of

Write Yours Please

At my desk
The glare of white
No desktop, just plain white
Thoughts crowding, falling, pressing
Fear the choice to frame
That should make a reputation - mine

Do I care who appreciates me
Should I fear feelings that respond
Are my words influenced to influence
Maybe I hunger for sustenance, or do I
Yet my failure not my success hurts most

Join me in prayer
May our wishes grow into horses
That we may ride: - only in your dream.

Thoughts of a thinking being

If the answer is yes, find out the question
You'll note the emptiness of the issues
You'll have to relieve your pains with sample tissue
Not because you have the longing for ease
You are certain to fall short of all expectations.

How do you make sense of the senseless
Senselessness that is pervasive
In a crowded void created by serious zeal
Our zeal that has grown out of sincere insincerity
What do I ask to ask no more?

See how age has made him strong
His resilience, his charm
His character, his attraction
So, yes, so what?
He is but a man, a man only.

The Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation: If Only We Could

Dear Maimuna

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarkatuhu,

Meeting you the way I did still gives me the tingles. I tingle each time I recall your candid queries. Your concerns were well founded. You had to be sure how you can accept engagement. You had to be sure you needed to be in an engagement. Your reasons certainly give concerns, such concerns that all discerning people must rationalise. You are a rational person. I often delude myself into believing I am a rational person. You may disagree, yet here I am writing you this very public message.

I think I have found a soulmate in you. I believe I have a soulmate in you. Your response to the answers I gave to your queries gave me a lift, a lift so high that I became pumped, full of adreliline. I became hyperactive, in all my waking moments; in all my sleep; in the periods I created to daydream: I found myself living through anticipated moments together. You let me in. You let me in to such a degree my kith and kin accepted my reports of you and your acceptance of me. We collectively cherished the moments of connection. We looked forward, earnestly, to being together known as a unit; - a unit of society that accepts responsibility for the combined membership. You must have felt the pull.

Dear Maimuna, you made us all look forward to life worth living. A living, with loving relationships that enable understanding of individual relationships. You are a gem. You will always be a gem. We are sure of your worth. A worth that stole away through the fingers of our brother. Yet, even so, we have a reason to love brother; not loath him. We have a reason to antiipate a relationship with him who caused you some pain earlier. Your pain is our pain. We all appreciate that. Some of us feel this pain more. To think otherwise is deceiptful. You will have to be strong and you will have to be decisive. We must not pressure you. We must not unduely impose our will on you. We must not make up your mind for you. You are a strong human being, my dear.

When you said our pain is why you are stalling, we pray you talk to us. You have to be serious and speak out. Your silence is interpreted as giving up. Unless you say otherwise, the best interpretation will be it is all over. You are a better person. Fear is not in your character.

Please bear with us. Live the rest of your life.

Bissalam.  

Desmond Tutu: Speaking the Truth

Desmond Tutu is in the news; still in the news - he is 81 years old you know. But that is not the issue that intersts me. He has just been awarded a cash prize of one million dollars by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. Yes, awarded! I do not seek to unrevel the criteria used in the selection, but the Mo Foundation has its own standards, including the once cherished funding system for small businesses! Yes, standards are standards.

However, more than just talking about this award, my interst is in the fact that Desmond Tutu has been awarded this 2012 prize for"speaking truth to power" and incidents are cited by the BBC NEWS ARICA of the reverend gentleman refusing to share the same platform with former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair (because the British PM went to war with Iraq while lying about weapons of mass destruction). Ok. Where is the catch? I am seeking the meaning of truth.

 

What is truth? What constitutes truth to give those who speak it the upper hand? What is it truth speakers have that 'non-truth' speakers lack? Courage?

 

In the light of the 2012 Desmond Tutu "speaking truth to power" Mo Ibrahim Foundatioin award, I am set on the path of discovery. I am set on the path of seeking out the truth and how best to speak it. I am confident I will find my own truth - whatever that may be.

My First Year!

Twelve months and seven days. How much longer shall the counting take? The 'heat' of holding public trust in an environment like our dear country makes one wonder. How much longer indeed. Would it be . . . or would it just be? It may be that one braces the tape in time for throwing-in the towel. It may be that the sweat will still be running down ones face. Maybes all the way. Yet truth has a way of catching up somehow.

It is not impossible to appreciate why things will be difficult. The twelve months seven days. It showed one how to deal with 'reality'. But what reality? How should reality be understood? Things that happen? Things that could have happened? Things that should have happened? Things that did not happen? Things that happened. What is reality? Confusing. No matter how one 'thinks', the reality will demand conformity, not utopia! Delightful, indeed. Delightful.

Surely change must begin. How? Change is constant. Change is inevitable. Should any change depend on 'majority'? Having their way. Having their say. Now, unless I am more confused than I thought, often enduring change begin with a majority of one - YOU!

Elections & Good Governance ala Nigeria

This funny feeling remains with me anytime I hear or read sentiments about 'free and fair' elections and how a good government (good governance) can evolve from it. How defeatist this really is. How would an election produce a good government if all the structure (institutions) of government are not good? Is it possible for a good person to be elected through a faulty electoral process? Remember, the actual election day event is only one out of many events that make up the electoral process. How would an election change the attitude of the people? Can a good election remove the deference shown the traditional institutions? Would a good election produce a government that can make people see the difference between government property and 'a free for all collection' that is always ready to be plundered? Is there a government indeed . . . !

Not a chance. No election can actually produce a good government. Good governance is a complete process. It is a lie to assume that an election can make for good governance.

INEC, Governors & the Law

So, eventually a court in Abuja says five states may not be part of the April Governorship elections. The five governors took oath of office and oath of allegiance twice since their first election in 2007. The big deal is that INEC said earlier these five states must join in the 2011 elections because of a constitutional amendment that says period spent in office by an incumbent returned after a by-election should count in determining his or her tenure of four years.

Is the Federal High Court saying the law cannot and should not be 'retroactive'? Is the constitutional 'alteration' actually retroactive? How soon can an appeal run through? Would we enjoy the privilege of a Supreme Court pronouncement? Ok, this is Nigeria. The days, though numbered, have a way of elongating themselves for Nigerians.

Nigeria: The Meaning of Credible Elections!

When on the 22nd August 2010, the result of the by-election for the senate seat from the Bauchi South Senatorial District if Bauchi State, North East Nigeria was anounced, only two other political parties were present at the district collation centre. Both of them 'refused' to sign the collation sheet claiming they individually had problems with 'the way the election was conducted' and 'the outcome of the election'. That they had the right to petition and prove their claims was not sufficient to make them leave the premises quitely. The noise that ensued was quite disturbing and clearly reflects the attitude of Nigerian politicians to the outcome of elections. Yet, the clear definition for a credible election appears to be missing in the Nigerian polity.

Very few Nigerians accept they understand, let alone appreciate that election outcomes cannot always be the yardstick for determining the credibility of an election. If it was so, public sentiments will be the determining factor in elections and not the number of votes scored by candidtaes in contested elections. No Nigerian politician has yet said elections in Nigeria are not contested. It is probably the way in which the contest eventually runs that becomes an issue after the elections. Credibility is attained for whoever wins. It is not for all those who loose.

The time for a determination of the real definition of credible election within the Nigerian context is now. Otherwise, Professor Jega, the INEC Chairman may be disappointed.

What block?

I will never understand what a writer's block is. I do understand you may have alot of things you think you want to write, but find that you are unable to write. My current state. Pity, I fancy holding onto a blog for a while.

Never to be late!

Surely, staying away from my blog is not planned. It just happened. Well, no it was caused by NEPA (oh dear me, PHCN), as if I need to justify my reluctance to write the small pieces. But the truth is that Nigeria has become a 'fearful' place. Writing opinions is now a problem. So is holding the opinion in the first place - unless of course you are a 'mouthpiece'. God help us.

Michael 'Mikael' Jackson is DEAD!

My friend is an aspiring publisher. His current spreed sheet 'House of Islam' is already reaching places he did not think it would. The reception is also good. That is why he was so worried he had to confirm if Michael Jackson died a Muslim or not. He had reported the SUN story that the KING OF POP had converted to Islam.

During the whole day the tribute 'memorial' was done for the musician, Ismail was glued to the television set trying to catch any phrase that would suggest to him that the late musician died a Muslim. There was none. I however told him that earlier on I had heared the brother of the dead musician, announing the death of his brother, say: 'Michael, may Allah be with you always' and he was excited. Jarmine (Friday) Jackson is a Muslim. He announced the death of the music superstar on behalf of the Jackson family. Is that confirmation that Michael Jackson died a Muslim?

The CNN which broadcast Jarmine Jackson's announcement, later 'edited' the portion with 'may Allah be with you always' and no reason came up to explain why. Should they have explained? America has its own traditions. One of its traditions is secularim. No religion for the state. No glorification of a religion over another. Yet, would any other faith have kept quite about their own person who passes away? Where is the Nation of Islam? Where is CAIR? Where are the other Islamic Organisations in the United States of America?

Maybe, just maybe, Michael was battling to become a Muslim. However, was that picture of him and Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) and others a flux? Allahu A'alamu

A View on 'Muslim-Converts' et al ...

I made a presentation in Yola this weekend. It was an expression of my views about conversion and how people who embrace Islam may be treated. You will find the complete paper at my other site on the ssrn.com network. However, a few points may be interesting.

I believe managing converts is not an issue. I believe all the people who convert to Islam are Muslims and are obliged to act accordingly. I believe all Muslims owe each other the obligation of treating themselves equally. I know Allah loves those of the highest piety. May we all be alive to our responsibilities.

Christ-like, yes, ... that is what I said!

This morning something pleasant happened to me. I visited my eye doctor to collect my glasses and went through a very interesting encounter. My eye doctor engaged me in a serious discussion on the issue of religion. She was particularly impressed by something about me that made her impression of, her attitude and thinking about Muslims change. She asked me if Muslims believed in Hell and Paradise. I said, we did. She said, meeting me had made her realise that there are some Muslims that MAY go to Paradise. I asked her to explain. She was incoherent, seeing that she was really unable to specify the exact thing about me that changed her thinking about Muslims. May be if I explained the events leading to this morning, I may succeed in conveying my astonishment and pleasant surprise.

I started wearing prescription glasses in 2003. My first set was the only one I picked after a thorough medical examination. So, when the eye started trouble, I had to go and see an eye doctor. I walked into this private clinic and there she was! She examined me and made her prescription. She charged me and showed me a number of frames. I opted for a nondescript piece and made a comment to the effect that I was not interested in a frame for show. As I left the clinic that first day, she asked me my 'denomination' but before I answered, I noticed her hesitation and then she asked if I was a Muslim or a Christan. I said am a Muslim. End of discussion.

The cost of the replacement glasses was something I could afford to pay in two installments. So, after a few days, I was able to make the first installment. She said they were expecting me, and we joked about the possibility of my failing to show up after the examination. I was to return after three days, but I said I may not be able to do so unless I raised the balance. I failed to show up. A week after, I raised the balance, and this morning, I walked back into the eye clinic. I noticed she was reading her bible.

By this time, you expect I would know her name. I still don't know. Today I confirm she is a qualified eye doctor not just a technician. Her interest in me was wonderful. She told me that since she saw me and observed my actions, she told herself I must be a 'good' Muslim. She asked me why Muslims kill other people. She also asked if I believed in Jesus Christ. I told her Muslims do not kill people, but politicians who are Muslims may have political reasons to kill - as in the Twin Towers - but no Muslim kills as a religious belief. I said all Muslims believe in Isa (named Jesus Christ) as an article of faith. I told her any Muslim who does not believe in Jesus Christ is not a Muslim. She said I acted like a Christian. I said I was acting CHRIST-LIKE but I am not a Christan. All Muslims are Christ-like because they submit totally to the will of Allah (arabic name of the Creator of the Universe).

Yes, I told this Christan eye doctor that I am Christ-like, but not a Christian. She agreed I showed something that made her think that some Muslims MAY go to Paradise (after those who call themselves Christian?) because she never believed Muslims were good. She said I changed her thinking in this direction. So, I must live my life the way I do - so that it continues to change people's thinking about Muslims and Islam.

If ...!

'If' reminds me of a novel I read (or was it a movie that I saw?) several years ago. Whichever. It was a futuristic thing contempleting things that would happen that were contingent upon the happening of some other or one thing. It was a thoughtful thing, that novel (or movie).

Today, it is if Obama wins! Obama, the Democratic Presidential candidate in the US elections. Tomorrow. Nov. 4th 2008. Would Americans elect a BLACK President? Would they elect a man likely to have an ear for the ARABS (Muslims?)? How long would the romance last? If, ... yes, if Americans were to elect the first Black President, things will not be the same.

How would they change, ... or refuse to change?

Censorship & Kano: Where Rabo Derailed!

I read his rejoinder to a Leadership newspaper story, also published in the Leadership newspaper. He should not have bothered to write at all. His sentiments are misplaced. I think he was of the view that sympathy will follow. Oh dear, if only we are able to assert that any person, as an individual or in association with others, can force compliance to their views, we would be deviating from the non-compulsion doctrine in Islamic Jurisprudence. Allah never said we could compel compliance. He (SWT) asked us to call with wisdom. Yet, we could choose to do as we pleased when in authority to force compliance.

You should read Rabo's position. He even cited the Hays Code. He failed to say that the Code has since been out of use. He failed to indicate that a subsisting US Supreme Court decision (JOSEPH BURSTYN, Inc. v. WILSON et al.) has since made 'artistic works' in films covered by that country's first amendment in respect of the constitutionally protected freedom of speech.

Rabo should rethink. However, it would appear that the bulk of the convictions which the Kano Censorship Board has obtained at the Magistrates' Courts is on non-compliance to regulations. So, Kano artists, be up to it. Obey the regulations. Challenge those which are unconstitutional. We can do it. Yes we can (ha .. ha... ha).

Cloning, sex change, seed improvement: Which of these is creating?

A few minutes ago, I sent an SMS message to two of my colleagues. One, the amiable Director of Public Affairs of the institution where I serve and the other, head of our web team. I wrote: 'oh, ... changing night to day is IMPOSSIBLE not even with all the electricity in the world ... abi? I did not expect immediate response. I should be lucky to be left alone, Monday, because these are people I know would require my elaboration.

You see, we were having a chat at the office and someone said 'nothing is impossible' or words to that effect. Then I responded: somethings are not possible; things like changing a man into a woman or a woman into a man. They said no. My attention was drawn to the sex changing going on every where around the globe. I conceded but insisted that it was not possible to do a sex change unless the person exhibited signs conducive for the change. They disagreed. Now, that is where the discussion stopped. I expect to return to it when my SMS is read. But I maintain the position that nothing that does not exist can caused into existence by any human being.

Does the cloning of Benny(?) the Sheep amount to creating a sheep? Does an improved seedling mean a seed had been created? Does a sex change mean that a woman or a man has been created? Creation is an impossibility for man. Man cannot create another being. Man can only 'improve' an existing being. Not even the best of them can last. Do you remember the life span of the cloned sheep? It is not for ethical reasons alone that the American government has refused government funding for these kinds of research. It simply is not possible.

So, there are somethings that are not possible.

So, the Pressident may die? Kulli nafsin zaikatul maut!

Two very unrelated(?) events occurred within the space of two weeks. The Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria, an Ambassador and one time Presidential running-mate, Ambassador Babagana Kingebe was dismissed (sorry, replaced) and Channels Television, born of versatile tv journalist John Momoh, known as friend of the system, was asked off the airwaves. The television station lost its licence (it is said suspended is a better word) to the command of the National Broadcasting Commission. These two events are indeed related. Here is how.

Do you remember those days the Nigerian President was out of the country receiving medical attention? It became a sin to contemplate the demise of the no.1 helmsman. Yes, no one was to think the President may die. It is not because he is an immortal, but because, like the case of the North Korean Presdietn, Kim Il Jong, there were too many issues a vacuum in the leadership of the country would create. No one wanted to be 'taken by surprise' (really?). How then do we plan for death? Like General Sani Abacha? No, not really, you see, death will come when it will come, for it is the only constant in all humanity. Death is the only certainty.

Why would a broadcast station speculate that a President that is sick may resign? That must be a reason that is inconsistent with a broadcast licence. One of the provisions of the licences for broadcasting in Nigeria is 'not to cause public disturbances' which a claim like the one broadcast by Channels could cause. Certainly, no one can stop death - for every soul shall have a taste of death (kulli nafsin zaikathal maut).

I think, death is an equalizer. My uncle thinks otherwise. That is for another day. For now, be rest assured that no President will die before his time. Likewise, no President will resign before the time appointed for the end of his 'tenured leadership' as decreed (destined) by Allah expires. We should bear that in mind and remain confident. Allahu Akbar!

Usool at-Tafseer & Izraliyat: Matters that should arise.

Dear Uztaz Abubakar Assadiq. I missed the edition of your segment on 'Sahur Live' broadcast immediately after the one in which you cautioned about taking in, hook, line and sinker, all that we read in some tafseer. On that edition, you failed to mention which of the available and accessible tafseers you were making reference to.

Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, in his book, 'Usool at-Tafseer', the Methodology of Qur'anic Explanation mentions the tafsir (or footnotes) contained in Abdullah Yusuf Ali's translation of the Qur'an as full of izraliyat. He was particularly critical of some explanatory notes because they tended to give weight to jewish traditional folklores which may taint the Qur'anic revelations. He praised other translations, especially that of Ibn Kathir. So, ya Uztaz, why did you hold your peace?

I am concerned your silence may create more problems than it would solve. But, if because I missed the subsequent edition of 'Sahur live' on NTA2 and missed your explanation, forgive me. Oh, by the way, I think your response to the views expressed about your wife reading the Qur'an on the programme was too harsh. Have you lost sight of the temperament of the Rasul (SAW) when faced with adversity? You have to realise that you are no longer a private person (so your wife cannot be a private person - and may Allah continue to reward you for the sacrifice you are making) and so have to be patient. No amount of stressing 'non-compliance' will stop the criticisms. What I think you should do is find subtle ways of making your point. Allah (SWT) knows your intentions. May He reward you and members of your family with aljanna firdaus.

Please uztaz, television is a personal medium. Be kind. Speak kindly and nicely. Those who disagree with you will not refuse to see your reason. You have Allah (SWT) to account to and not any human being. But please be kind.